Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Looking Smart in Meetings and High School flashbacks

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?
I was incredibly guarded growing up, and it stuck around for way too long. It wasn't until my last year in college when I made some great friends that I started to open up to others, and not fear rejection. This blog- while I love writing it- isn't publicized on Facebook for that reason. If anyone I really know finds it (via Google+Instagram or Twitter), I would expect them to know that I write on here and that would be fine. I sometimes refer to it, but I am still a recovering wallflower. I've changed a lot in the last 10 years, but it's still something I struggle with.

2. How did you meet your closest friend?
I had just moved to a new high school and was sitting alone at lunch, feeling pretty isolated. She adopted me into her lunch table one day, and then into her family a few weeks later. Years later, we still think of each other as our sister. Her mom is my 'other mother' (and she still comes to visit her adopted mother, my mom). I definitely appreciate all that she (and her family) have done for me in my teenage years, and love when we get to meet up and hang out. And, she has a beautiful daughter who loves to see "Aunt Farin and Uncle Tom" when we come to visit :)
3.  Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet...of the pink foods listed, which one is your favorite? Least favorite? Which one have you most recently consumed?
My choice would be salmon, any form of salmon. I attribute this to vacations, specifically cruises, where they always offer bagel with lox (aka, my perfect breakfast). It's nothing fancy, but anytime I eat it I feel like I'm on vacation. But I do love grilled salmon too. Least favorite is grapefruit. Something about the taste makes my stomach turn. And why is it a 'grape' fruit?

4. When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.
I don't know what would qualify as tickled pink. So... I just painted my nails, and am reminded how happy I am that I never have to pay to get them done professionally. Proof that sometimes (years of) practice does make perfect.
5. Are you a fan of television talk shows? Daytime, nighttime, or both? What's your favorite?
Um... I watch the Today Show every weekday, but I don't think that counts. We used to watch Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but not so much recently.

6. When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so?
Any quarterly or corporate staff meeting, really. And there isn't any reason for it since I generally have a good understanding of what is happening. But I always worry I'll say something idiotic. There's something very intimidating about being a guest (to the people who you only know by name when they are CC'd on the really important emails), 40 floors up at their office on Wall Street.
7. My favorite __________________right now is _________________.
My favorite place right right now is my bed. With my warm pj's, eye mask and ear plugs.

People are still trying to get out of their iced parking spot. All the noise from the car revving, spinning out, the owner slamming doors, and chipping away at the ice on the pavement with an ice scrapper. I want to yell out the window "you live in NYC.... just use transit already!" Needless to say, it's not the easiest to fall asleep to. So, earplugs.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Have you seen this: 10 Tricks to Appear Smart During Meetings

There are tons of articles out there with the exact same wording (seriously- word for word.... how do they do that?) but the content is true. I always carry a notepad, and take scribble notes on page one, flip it over the top and plan my week behind it. Grocery list, blog posts, emails to send..... and when there's a five minute break, flip back to the chicken scratch notes, and put a pen on top. No one will know the difference. Know when to talk, know when your department will be discussed and you can easily zone out until then. 80% of our meetings are issues with our website, and I have no reason to say anything anyway.

So tell me...
How do you 'look attententive' at meetings?
Do you know why they named grapefruit after grapes?
How is the weather in your area? Ice and snow, or something else?


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16 comments:

  1. You did a nice job with your manicure! I have mine done now and then, because I don't think I'm as neat as you : ) I love for my daughter to paint mine though! Enjoy your day-stay warm!

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    1. Thank you- it took a bunch of big messes over the years to learn to be neat. I'm sure doing it with your daughter is a good bonding time. You as well!

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  2. 1. I do the same thing that you do - make some official notes, then deal with my own stuff until it's time to really pay attention.
    2. I do know why they are "grape" fruit - they grow in clusters like grapes!
    3. I live in NYC - and I'm tired of the scraping too!

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    1. They do? Wow- just searched Google, what a random piece of knowledge. And, I'm glad someone else has heard the incessant ice scraping :)

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  3. I am a note taker so I think that always makes you look like you are paying attention. The weather here on Long Island has been snowy and icy. It really is pretty to look at. Your mani came out great. I do my own nails too. Most of the time it is just a light, sheer color but I don't like the way bare nails feel.

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    1. I hear, all my coworkers live in Long Island. Glad to have trains, so I can avoid all that ice. Stay warm and safe!

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  4. I never pay to get my nails done, either...I prefer to do them myself. Our weather here has been wonderful the past several days...mid-50's and no snow in the forecast. For that, I'm very thankful! Stay warm and cozy!

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    1. Mid 50s? Sounds amazing! Enjoy it while you can :)

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  5. That's such a sweet story about your friendship. It's amazing how, even if we don't see these friends, we still carry these people in our hearts over the years. I don't talk to or see one of my high school friends as often as I used to, but we still think of each other as family.

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    1. Agree, the distance doesn't mean much when you have a solid friendship and history together. She's the only high school friend I still keep in touch with, but I understand what you're saying :)

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  6. haha I am constantly nodding my head at the speaker in meetings. Sometimes I to reign it in because I'm sure it's a little overkill. I also like to take notes too. I'm not sure what they are named after grapes, but fortunately I'm on a computer so I can find out. Weather is cold. There's some snow on the ground still. Hopefully it'll start to warm up soon!

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    1. I hope so soon, but really, we live where we live. We shouldn't be shocked I guess :)
      Diane (commenter above) just told me that "they grow in clusters like grapes". Who knew!

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  7. I am a head nodder too and I do pretend to takes notes as well. Great bunch of tips for sure!

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  8. They were calling for a wintry mix this week, but it's really rather warm.

    Happy Hodgepodge Wednesday!

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    1. I believe we are through the worst of it, happy Wednesday (from me on Friday!)

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